PolitickerME.com is on the trail with U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) and former Sen. George Mitchell as they make four stops in Waterville, Skowhegan, Portland and Lewiston. Allen is challenging U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her seat this year.

WATERVILLE – Despite being down in the polls, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) said he thinks he’s ahead right now when it comes to early voting because of a strong push from the Democratic Party.

Allen spoke to about 50 people at the Waterville Democratic Party’s office Tuesday morning.

“We’re doing good right now,” Allen said.

U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who is on the trail with Allen today, said that Democrats do not need to be worried about Allen slipping in the polls, recalling his first race when he won after the polls said he was 30 points behind.

Allen is also addressing an ad run by the Collins campaign, calling it a false, unfair, personal attack. The ad hits him on missing 157 votes, many of which he missed for family reasons.

The Collins campaign said that they understand the fact that Allen missed votes for family reasons, but he also missed votes go on trips and attend fundraisers.